U.S. patent application number 09/405317 was filed with the patent office on 2002-07-04 for folding pushchair with tilting handle equipped with a folding control on the handle.
Invention is credited to AGENEAU, LAURENT.
Application Number | 20020084626 09/405317 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 9530890 |
Filed Date | 2002-07-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020084626 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
AGENEAU, LAURENT |
July 4, 2002 |
FOLDING PUSHCHAIR WITH TILTING HANDLE EQUIPPED WITH A FOLDING
CONTROL ON THE HANDLE
Abstract
This invention relates to a folding pushchair of the type
including a frame comprising in particular two front support arms,
two rear support arms and a guide handle (16) mounted on two
connecting elements (15) extending approximately along the line of
the said front support arms, and being free to move with respect to
these support arms, between an unfolded position and a folded
position, the said handle (16) comprising unlocking means
activating at least one unlocking cable (215). According to the
invention, the said handle (16) is hinged with respect to the said
connecting elements (15) through two hinge elements (110), the said
unlocking cable(s) (215) being guided through the said hinge
elements (110) such that the distance between the first means of
attaching a first end of the said cable to the said unlocking means
and the second means of attaching the second end of the said cable
to the said frame unlocking means is constant for each of the said
unlocking cables, regardless of the inclination position of the
said handle.
Inventors: |
AGENEAU, LAURENT; (CHOLET,
FR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MERCHANT & GOULD PC
P.O. BOX 2903
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55402-0903
US
|
Family ID: |
9530890 |
Appl. No.: |
09/405317 |
Filed: |
September 23, 1999 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
280/642 ;
280/655 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B62B 5/064 20130101;
F16C 2326/20 20130101; F16C 11/10 20130101; B62B 9/20 20130101;
Y10T 74/20408 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
280/642 ;
280/655 |
International
Class: |
B62B 007/06 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 23, 1999 |
FR |
98 12059 |
Claims
1. Folding pushchair of the type including a frame comprising in
particular two front support arms (11), two rear support arms (13)
and a guide handle (16) mounted on two connecting elements (15)
extending approximately along the line of the said front support
arms (11) and being free to move with respect to these support
arms, between an unfolded position and a folded position, the said
handle (16) comprising unlocking means (420) activating at least
one unlocking cable (215) moving in the said handle and in at least
one of the said connecting elements, and unlocking at least one
frame locking element (55) in order to enable a changeover from the
said unfolded position to the said folded position, characterized
in that the said handle (16) is hinged with respect to the said
connecting elements (15) through two hinge elements (110), the said
unlocking cable(s) (215) being guided through the said hinge
elements (110) such that the distance between the first means (48)
of attaching a first end of the said cable to the said unlocking
means and the second means (54) of attaching the second end of the
said cable to the said frame unlocking means is constant for each
of the said unlocking cables, regardless of the inclination
position of the said handle.
2. Folding pushchair according to claim 1, characterized in that
each of the said locking cables (215) intersects the pivot axis
(25) of the corresponding hinge element (110), regardless of the
position of this element.
3. Folding pushchair according to either of claims 1 or 2,
characterized in that each of the said locking cables (110) is
guided inside the connecting element towards the outside of the
said pushchair.
4. Folding pushchair according to either of claims 2 or 3,
characterized in that each of the said hinge elements (110)
comprises two parts (21, 22) fixed to the said handle and to one of
the connecting elements respectively, and a control button (214)
installed along the said pivot axis (25) and which can be in one of
two end positions on the said pivot axis: a rest position, the
default position, in which the said parts of the hinge element are
fixed to each other; and an adjustment position, in which the said
parts of the hinge element are free to move with respect to each
other so that the inclination of the said handle can be modified,
two openings (219) being formed in the said control button, such
that the said unlocking cable moves freely in the said pivot axis,
regardless of the position of the said control button.
5. Folding pushchair according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
characterized in that the said unlocking means comprise a central
button (420) acting on two symmetrical connecting rods, in order to
pull the said unlocking cables (215) when the said central button
(420) is pressed.
6. Folding pushchair according to claim 5, characterized in that
the said connecting rods (43, 44) pivot about separate pins.
7. Folding pushchair according to any one of claims 5 to 6,
characterized in that each of the said connecting rods (43) can be
moved under the guidance of a pin (411) fixed to the said
connecting rod and passing through an opening or groove (410) in a
fixed position with respect to the said handle.
8. Folding pushchair according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
characterized in that the said locking means comprise at least one
locking pin (55) installed in the said connecting elements (15) and
cooperating with a corresponding notch formed in one of the said
front support arms (11), the said pin (55) being assembled such
that it retracts inside the said connecting element (15) when the
corresponding unlocking cable (215) is pulled, to enable the said
connecting element (15) to slide inside the said front support arm
(11).
9. Folding pushchair according to claim 8, characterized in that
the said pin (55) is installed on a blade (56) housed in a housing
(57) in a part that can slide inside the said connecting element,
and one of the ends of which is fixed at the lower end of the said
connecting element through return means, and the other end of which
is fixed to the said unlocking cable, the said housing being shaped
such that: in the rest position of the unlocking cable, the said
pin tends to cooperate with the corresponding notch, when the
unlocking cable is pulled, the blade carrying the said pin is
guided towards the inside of the connecting element, entraining the
said pin and thus enabling unlocking.
10. Folding pushchair according to claim 9, characterized in that
the said blade (55) is advantageously folded back on itself and
forms a return means which tends to bring the said pin (55) into
the locking position.
11. Folding pushchair according to one of claims 9 and 10,
characterized in that the said housing (57) has two inclined guide
planes (510, 511) cooperating with two corresponding contact
surfaces (58, 59) defined on the said blade, on each side of the
said pin.
Description
[0001] This invention relates to the child care domain. More
precisely, the invention concerns pushchairs, and also more
precisely folding pushchairs.
[0002] Very many different types of folding pushchairs are known.
In general, manufacturers of this type of pushchair continuously
attempt to improve various aspects, and particularly the safety of
the child carried in the pushchair, the ease and efficiency of
folding and unfolding, and more generally ease and ergonomy of
using the pushchair.
[0003] Thus, to satisfy this latter objective, pushchairs were
equipped with a handle with an adjustable position, that is adapted
to the user's wishes and needs regardless of his height and
habits.
[0004] Obviously, this type of handle which provides the user with
additional comfort, must be easy to make and use and must be strong
and safe and easy to handle. This function is usually performed by
two hinges which connect the handle to the two push arms extending
laterally on each side of the pushchair, usually approximately
along the line of the front support arms.
[0005] Each of these hinges is composed of two main parts, fixed to
the handle and one of the push arms respectively. These two parts
are hinged with respect to each other by pivoting about a pin.
[0006] In normal mode (in other words when the handle is in the
required position), the two parts are fixed to each other, for
example through an engagement system. Therefore the position of the
handle with respect to the push arms is fixed.
[0007] The adjustment may be made by temporarily separating the two
parts which can then pivot with respect to each other, such that
the position of the handle can be modified. For example, this
separation may be achieved by pressing a release button, mobile
along the pivot axis, such that this button temporarily disengages
the engagement system.
[0008] Attempts are also made to simplify manipulations necessary
to fold the pushchair, also with the intention of improving
ergonomy and facilitating the user's task.
[0009] Conventionally, a double mechanism is provided on each side
of the pushchair, at the position at which unlocking and folding
actually take place (either using means for sliding the push arms
along the front support arms or inside these support arms, or
hinges in order to tilt the push arms along these front support
arms).
[0010] This known technique has the disadvantage that it is not
particularly easy to use. It requires a double manipulation since
it is usually necessary to act on both sides of the pushchair
simultaneously. Furthermore, this forces the user to bend down to
unlock the pushchair and then to press on the push arms in some
manner. Finally, due to their positions, these unlocking means may
be accessible to a child sitting in the pushchair. Therefore
additional safety devices are necessary to prevent the child from
unlocking it accidentally.
[0011] A solution to these various problems has been proposed,
which consists of transferring the unlocking control means onto the
handle, in a location directly accessible to the user. In this
case, this control acts on the unlocking means through cables
passing inside the handle and push arms. Activating the control
pulls on the cables that unlock unlocking means so that the
pushchair can be folded. To obtain an efficient and easy guiding of
the cables, it is necessary to avid acute angles.
[0012] Unfortunately, the two aspects according to prior art
described above are clearly incompatible. The hinges used to adjust
the position of the handle are solid elements equipped with a
specific mechanism, mobile along an axis perpendicular to the
direction along which the cable has to be routed. These hinges form
a plug both at the end of the handles and at the end of the push
arms. Consequently, it would be impossible to route a control cable
along this path.
[0013] Furthermore, if an expert in the subject should envisage
this possibility, he will immediately realize that there is a major
risk that is not compatible with safety requirements. By modifying
the position of the handle with respect to the push arm, it is
obvious that there is a risk of loosening the cable which would
then be unable to perform its unlocking function when the control
is activated, or worse the cable could be stretched which could
cause accidental unlocking and folding, even though the child may
still be sitting in the pushchair.
[0014] The main objective of the invention is to overcome these
various disadvantages in standard practice.
[0015] More precisely, one purpose of the invention is to provide a
pushchair for a child with an optimized ergonomy to the user, both
during normal operation (handle position) and during folding and
unfolding operations (position of the control means for unlocking
the folding means).
[0016] Another objective of the invention is to supply a pushchair
of this type that is safe and reliable under all conditions.
[0017] Another objective of the invention is to provide a pushchair
of this type that is simple and inexpensive to make and assemble.
In particular, one purpose of the invention is to provide this type
of pushchair that does introduce any significant extra cost
compared with known pushchairs.
[0018] Another objective of the invention is to provide this type
of pushchair that any user would find easy to use and
manipulate.
[0019] Another objective of the invention is to provide a puschair
of this type, in which the cables are easily and efficiently guided
and easily to manipulate.
[0020] These objectives, and others that will be described later,
are achieved using a folding pushchair of the type including a
frame comprising in particular two front support arms, two rear
support arms and a guide handle mounted on two connecting elements
extending approximately along the line of the said front support
arms and being free to move with respect to these support arms,
between an unfolded position and a folded position, the said handle
comprising unlocking means activating at least one unlocking cable
moving in the said handle, and in at least one of the said
connecting elements, and unlocking at least one frame locking
element in order-to enable a changeover from the said unfolded
position to the said folded position.
[0021] According to the invention, the said handle is hinged with
respect to the said connecting elements through two hinge elements,
the said unlocking cable(s) being guided through the said hinge
elements such that the distance between the first means of
attaching a first end of the said cable to the said unlocking means
and the second means of attaching the second end of the said cable
to the said frame unlocking means is constant for each of the said
unlocking cables, regardless of the inclination position of the
said handle.
[0022] Thus, changing the inclination of the handle has no effect
on the unlocking cables. Therefore, there is no risk that these
unlocking cables may be loosened, or that unlocking may be
activated accidentally when modifying the inclination of the
handle.
[0023] According to one advantageous embodiment of the invention,
each of the said locking cables intersects the pivot axis of the
corresponding hinge element, regardless of the position of this
element.
[0024] Note that this choice is not obvious, and a number of
technical adaptations are necessary when making the connecting
elements, as will be described later.
[0025] Preferably, each of the said locking cables is guided inside
the connecting element towards the outside of the said
pushchair.
[0026] In this way, the angles formed by the cables are larger and
it is easier to make some parts of the hinge elements.
[0027] According to one particular embodiment of the invention,
each of the said hinge elements comprises two parts fixed to the
said handle and to one of the connecting elements respectively, and
a control button installed along the said pivot axis and which can
be in one of two end positions on the said pivot axis:
[0028] a rest position, the default position, in which the said
parts of the hinge element are fixed to each other; and
[0029] an adjustment position, in which the said parts of the hinge
element are free to move with respect to each other so that the
inclination of the said handle can be modified,
[0030] two openings being formed in the said control button, such
that the said unlocking cable moves freely in the said pivot axis
regardless of the position of the said control button.
[0031] According to another advantageous aspect of the invention,
the said unlocking means comprise a central button acting on two
symmetrical connecting rods, in order to pull the said unlocking
cables when the said central button is pressed.
[0032] Preferably, the said connecting rods pivot about separate
pins. In this way, an anti-unlocking safety device can easily be
made.
[0033] Advantageously, each of the said connecting rods can be
moved under the guidance of a pin fixed to the said connecting rod
and passing through an opening or groove in a fixed position with
respect to the said handle.
[0034] According to yet another advantageous aspect of the
invention, the said locking means comprise at least one locking pin
installed in the said connecting elements and cooperating with a
corresponding notch formed in one of the said front support arms,
the said pin being assembled such that it retracts inside the said
connecting element when the corresponding unlocking cable is
pulled, to enable the said connecting element to slide inside the
said front support arm.
[0035] Preferably, the said pin is installed on a blade housed in a
housing in a part that can slide inside the said connecting
element, and one of the ends of which is fixed at the lower end of
the said connecting element through return means, and the other end
of which is fixed to the said unlocking cable, the said housing
being shaped such that:
[0036] in the rest position of the unlocking cable, the said pin
tends to cooperate with the corresponding notch,
[0037] when the unlocking cable is pulled, the blade carrying the
said pin is guided towards the inside of the connecting element,
entraining the said pin and thus enabling unlocking.
[0038] The said blade is advantageously folded back on itself and
forms a return means which tends to bring the said pin into the
locking position. Furthermore, according to an advantageous aspect
of the invention in which the pin is guided more precisely, the
said housing has two inclined guide planes cooperating with two
corresponding contact surfaces defined on the said blade, on each
side of the said pin.
[0039] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will
become more obvious after reading the following description of a
preferred embodiment, given as a simple illustrative and
non-restrictive example, and the attached drawings in which:
[0040] FIG. 1 diagrammatically illustrates a folding pushchair
according to the invention;
[0041] FIGS. 2A and 2B show exploded views of the two hinge
elements of the handle of the pushchair in FIG. 1, according to the
invention;
[0042] FIG. 3 shows a section of the hinge element in FIG. 2A, and
part of the handle;
[0043] FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of the unlocking control means
mounted on the handle of the pushchair in FIG. 1;
[0044] FIG. 5 also illustrates an exploded view of the locking and
unlocking means of the pushchair in FIG. 1, activated by the
control in FIG. 4.
[0045] As described previously, the pushchair according to the
invention has the following two characteristics:
[0046] hinged handle, such that the position of the handle above
the ground can be adjusted;
[0047] unlocking of the folding means by cables, in order to enable
control from the handle.
[0048] This result is obtained by keeping the length of the cable
path constant regardless of the position of the handle. In
particular, this can be achieved by routing this cable through the
pivot axis of the hinge, as will become clearer later.
[0049] FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a pushchair according to
the invention. This pushchair is seen from the side. It is obvious
that the other side of the pushchair is completely symmetrical.
[0050] The pushchair comprises a frame formed particularly (on the
side shown in the figure) of a front support arm (11) with one or
several front wheels (12), a rear support arm (13) with one or
several rear wheels (14) and a push arm (15) extended by a handle
(16) that connects the two push arms together.
[0051] A cross piece (17) keeps the rear support arm (13) in its
required position with respect to the front support arm (11). When
the pushchair is folded the rear support arm (13) becomes parallel
to the front support arm (11). Furthermore, also during folding,
the push arm (15) slides along the front support arm (11), or
possibly inside it. According to another embodiment, the push arm
(15) may be folded and moved along the front support arm (11).
[0052] More generally, the invention can be used with any folding
pushchair having folding control means mounted on the handle.
Notably, the frame can be of the type disclosed in FR 2 607 770
(flat folding) or of the type disclosed in FR 2 693 162 (X-frame
for compact folding in which the two sides of the pushchair are
closed when it is folded).
[0053] This frame also comprises means of holding a hammock (19)
that may advantageously be put in several positions with respect to
this frame.
[0054] According to the invention, the handle (16) is hinged with
respect to the push arm (15) using hinge means (110) described more
precisely later. A control button mounted on the handle (16) acts
on the connecting element (111) to fold the pushchair as described
more precisely later.
[0055] FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate exploded views of hinge elements
of the pushchair in FIG. 1 (right side and left side respectively
as seen by the user pushing the pushchair). These two hinge
elements are identical. The two figures show their shapes and
structures entirely.
[0056] Therefore they comprise two half-shells (21 and 22) designed
to be held in contact with each other by male (23) and female (24)
attachment means. This may consist of a bolt or a rivet. These
attachment means (23 and 24) define the pivot or hinge axis
(225).
[0057] Each half-shell includes a projection (25, 26) designed to
cooperate with the handle (16) and the push arm (15) respectively,
in order to increase the rigidity of the assembly. For example,
these projections may penetrate inside the push arm and the handle.
They are then kept permanently in position using a rivet (27, 28)
or a similar attachment system. An intermediate ring (29) that
matches the shape of the half-shells (21, 22) may be provided,
particularly for aesthetic or finish reasons, on one and/or the
other of the projections.
[0058] There is a toothed wheel (210) held in the working position
inside the two half-shells (21 and 22) by a spring (211), inside
each hinge element. In this working position, the toothed wheel
(210) cooperates with the corresponding means (212, 213) of
engaging the two half-shells. Thus, the inclination position of the
handle (16) is fixed.
[0059] This inclination may be modified using a button (214). This
button is free to move along the hinge axis (225) and when a force
is applied to it, it disengages the toothed wheel (210) from the
means (212) of engaging the half-shell (21). The two half-shells
(21 and 22) are then free to move with respect to each other. The
position of the handle (16) with respect to the push arm (15) can
then be modified.
[0060] As soon as a force is no longer applied on button (214), the
button returns to its initial position, and the toothed wheel (210)
also moves to its initial position under the action of the spring
(211).
[0061] According to the invention, the component parts of the
hinges have been adapted to enable the control cable (215) to pass.
Thus, this cable (215) intersects the hinge axis (225) regardless
of the position of the handle. Therefore the distance between the
two ends of the cable remains constant regardless of the position
of the handle (16).
[0062] These adaptations particularly include the formation of
adapted notches (216 and 217) in the toothed wheel, an opening
(219) in the button (214), an opening (218) in the half-shell (21),
and a passage (220) inside this half-shell, etc.
[0063] These various passages and openings are configured so that
they do not hinder routing of the cable between the two extreme
positions possible for the handle (16). They are also used to
define these extreme positions.
[0064] The routing of the cable (215) is shown on the sectional
view in FIG. 3. One of the ends (31) of the cable is fixed to the
control handle (32), the operation of which is described in detail
below. The cable (215) is guided inside the handle (16), then the
hinge element (110) towards the inside edge of the push arm (15),
or in other words towards the outside of the pushchair. Thus this
opens as much as possible the angles formed by the cable (215) (the
angle is never below 90.degree.), and the cable is routed beyond
the attachment means (23, 24). In other words, the cable (215)
easily passes through the hinge axis (225), since it goes beyond
the attachment means (23, 24).
[0065] FIG. 3 shows that the openings provided to enable free
passage of the cable (215) take account not only of the
displacement due to the change to the inclination but also the
transverse displacement of some parts, such as the button
(214).
[0066] FIG. 4 illustrates an advantageous embodiment of the
unlocking control button mounted on the handle (16) and the cables
(215) attached to it. Other control types are also known, and
obviously may be used within the framework of the invention.
[0067] This control button comprises a box (32) and is designed to
fit into a housing (41) provided for it in the handle (16). It is
formed of two half-boxes (42 and 43). A control handle (420) covers
the box (32) and can be moved with respect to this box along
direction (421).
[0068] The mechanism comprises two rods (44 and 45) assembled free
to rotate about pins (46 and 47). One end of these rods (48) holds
the end of cable (215) in position. The movement of these rods is
defined by oblong holes (49, 410) formed in the two half-boxes (42
and 43) and which cooperate with pins (411, 412) formed on the
rods.
[0069] Thus, when action is taken on box (32), the rods will be
guided by the oblong holes and pull on cables (215) which has the
effect of unlocking.
[0070] A safety device is provided which prevents accidental
operation of the control. It consists of a safety button (413)
placed inside the box (32) and accessible under the handle (16). In
the normal position, the safety button (413) is held in place by
the spring (414) such that the projection (415) of the safety
button (413) stops in contact with the walls of the handle (420),
preventing it from penetrating inside the housing (41).
[0071] On the other hand, when the user applies a sufficient force
on the safety button (413), the projection (415) is released such
that the handle (420) can move. The spring (414) enables this
button (413) to return automatically to the safety position.
[0072] Note that the fact that two different pins (46 and 47) are
used for the rods rather than a central pin, means that this type
of safety means (413) can be simply and efficiently fitted inside
the control (32).
[0073] The unlocking cables (215) can act on very many types of
locking means, depending particularly on folding means used.
According to the one advantageous embodiment, the locking means
comprise a pin that cooperates with a reception element formed on
the support arm or on a part fixed to the support arm. Activating
the cable then controls retraction of the pin inside the push
arm.
[0074] One embodiment of this type of locking system is shown on
FIG. 5. Obviously, the invention may be used with other types of
locking systems.
[0075] In the system in FIG. 5, a part (51) is provided, for
example made of plastic, inside the push arm, and one of the ends
of this part is fixed to the lower end of the push arm by a through
rivet (52) by means of a return means (53).
[0076] The second end (54) of the cable (215) is fixed to the other
end of the part (51).
[0077] The locking pin (55) is mounted on a blade (56) folded back
to form a spring inside the push arm. Under the effect of the
corresponding return force, the pin (55) is pushed towards the
outside of part (51) and the push arm (15), in order to lock it
through openings provided for this purpose. The blade (56) is
placed inside a housing (57) which positions it correctly and
guides it during unlocking.
[0078] When cable (215) is pulled, part (51) is moved upwards (to
resist the force applied by the return means (53)). The blade (56)
inside the housing (57) cannot follow the movement applied to the
part (51), since the pin (55) fixes it to the push arm (15). The
two contact surfaces (58) and (59) cooperate with the two inclined
guide planes (510 and 511) formed inside the housing (57).
[0079] Pin (55) retracts inside the housing (57) in following the
displacement dictated by these inclined planes (510 and 511) under
the effect of the tension in the cable (215), thus enabling
folding.
[0080] This configuration with a double inclined plane on each side
of the pin enables precise and efficient displacement, the pin
remaining perpendicular (or nearly perpendicular) to the push arm
at all times.
* * * * *